Senate Turns Permitting Reform Into an AI-Grid Cost Allocation Deal

Senate energy and environment leaders introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act on September 30, 2026, a permitting package aimed at faster federal reviews for energy, transmission, and infrastructure projects. The bill would strengthen FERC transmission-siting authority and require data centers to pay associated transmission costs instead of shifting those costs to households and smaller businesses. A Senate vote is not expected until after the November 3 midterm elections.